Celebrities mark Tibetan uprising

The Dalai Lama addressing his followers at Dharamsala

Celebrities Richard Gere, Goldie Hawn and Annie Lennox are taking part in commemorations to mark the 40th anniversary of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule.

Hollywood actors Gere and Hawn have visited the northern Indian town of Dharamsala to hear a speech by Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. In London, singer Lennox is preparing to take part in a public reading.

The events mark 40 years since a group of Tibetans started a rebellion against Chinese rule in the country. Troops crushed the revolt, but thousands of Tibetans were killed in the fighting and the Dalai Lama fled to India.

In a 20-minute speech, heard by thousands of supporters, the Dalai Lama condemned Chinese repression in Tibet, and appealed for the Beijing Government to open talks on Tibet's future.

Anniversary 'depressing and encouraging'

Richard Gere in Red Corner, which was critical of Chinese justice

After the speech, Richard Gere said: "I've been here for many, many years during the anniversary, but this one for me is the most depressing and the most encouraging.

"It is depressing that in 40 years there has been little progress on the human rights front. The human rights situation is getting worse. Currently they are carrying out a systematic genocide."

But he felt there was growing international support for the Tibetan cause.

"It is a clear case of David and Goliath and the world is now supporting David."

Goldie Hawn said of the Dalai Lama: "His gift to the world is to remind all beings on this earth of their own potential to experience kindness and compassion.

"It hurts my heart that these gentle people have been the object for abuse. I meditate for the freeing of Tibet, and therefore the freeing of mankind."

In recent years the Tibetan campaign has become a favourite cause for celebrities, particularly in the US.

Films and concerts about Tibet

Goldie Hawn: Tibetan situation "hurts my heart"

Richard Gere - who is a Buddhist - has long been a critic of Chinese policies in Tibet, and he has met the Dalai Lama on many occasions. His Gere Foundation promotes awareness of the Tibetan cause.

In 1997, he starred in Red Corner, in which he played a lawyer falsely accused of murder in China. Martin Scorsese also angered the Chinese government with his film Kundun, which portrayed the early life of the Dalai Lama.

At the same time, Brad Pitt starred in Jean-Jacques Annaud's Seven Years In Tibet. He played Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian who became a confidant of the Dalai Lama.

The world of rock music has also lined up behind the Dalai Lama. Last year's Tibetan Freedom Concert in Washington featured REM, Beck, Radiohead, the Beastie Boys and Pearl Jam. Last month REM joined Patti Smith to play a small show in New York for Tibet House, a Manhattan foundation dedicated to preserving Tibetan heritage.

British support from Lennox

Annie Lennox with Stevie Wonder and Dave Stewart at last month's Brit Awards

In London, Annie Lennox is one of Britain's leading supporters of the Tibetan campaign. On Wednesday night she joins satirist Mark Thomas and Labour MP Chris Mullin for a public reading at Westminster Central Hall.

"She's been very supportive to us on a personal level for some years now," said a spokeswoman for the London-based Free Tibet Campaign.

Recently Lennox delivered a petition to the Chinese Embassy in London in support of Ngawang Choephel, a dissident sentenced to 18 years in prison in 1996 on espionage charges. Campaigners insist he was merely recording local music and dance.

It was signed by a host of musicians including Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Robbie Williams, Cast, Radiohead, club DJ Danny Rampling and radio presenter Andy Kershaw.

"Unfortunately, the embassy officials put the petition in the bin in front of her," the spokeswoman added.